Seeking Relief for Bali's Reefs

Fishing Community at Serangan Island in Bali Working on Decades-Long Project to Restore Reef Destroyed by Developer in Mid-1990s.

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(5/7/2011)

5 hectares of coral surrounding Serangan island near Sanur in Bali have been destroyed by beach reclamations work done at the location in 1996. According to Beritabali.com, an estimated 20 years is now needed to rehabilitate the reef.

Wayan Patut, who is a an environmental activist and the head of the Sari Mertasegara fishing group, said: "When the reclamation was done in 1996 the reef, which is the breeding areas for a wide variety of sea life, was badly damaged. The original island measuring 112 hectares was expanded to become 481 hectares. You can just imagine how much coral reef was consumed in the process of creating new land areas."

Patut told the press 5 hectares of coral reef was destroyed causing losses to local fishermen who live on Serangan island. "There's no more fish that can be caught there due to the demolition of the reef by reclamation."

In 2003 efforts began to rehabilitate the reef surrounding Serangan island. Fishermen who once contributed to the destruction of the reef are now working to rebuild coral through activities organized by the Sari Mertasegera fishing group.

Explained Patut: "Thus far, the fishing group at Serangan island has managed to plant 1.5 hectares of new coral from a targeted area of 10 hectares. The rehabilitation process will continue until the environment of Serangan island can be restored. This will take 20 years for the coral reef to regain its former status."